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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

DIAGNOSING THE BURST INFLUENCE ON ACCRETION IN THE CLOCKED BURSTER GS 1826-238

Type I X-ray bursts on the surface of a neutron star are a unique probe into accretion in X-ray binary systems. However, we know little about the feedback of the burst emission on accretion. Hard X-ray shortages and enhancements of the persistent emission at soft X-rays have been observed. To put these findings in context with the aim of understanding the possible mechanism underneath, we investigated 68 bursts seen by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer from the clocked burster GS 1826-238. We diagnosed jointly the burst influence of both soft and hard X-rays, and we found that the observations can be described by the CompTT model with variable normalization, electron temperature, and optical depth. Putting these results in a scenario of coronal Compton cooling via the burst emission would lead to a shortage of cooling power, which may suggest that additional considerations, like the influence of the burst on corona formation, should be accounted for as well.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Raman Spectroscopy of Isotopic Water Diffusion in Ultraviscous, Glassy, and Gel States in Aerosol by Use of Optical Tweezers

The formation of ultraviscous, glassy, and amorphous gel states in aqueous aerosol following the loss of water results in nonequilibrium dynamics due to the extended time scales for diffusive mixing. Existing techniques for measuring water diffusion by isotopic exchange are limited by contact of samples with the substrate, and methods applied to infer diffusion coefficients from mass transport in levitated droplets requires analysis by complex coupled differential equations to derive diffusion coefficients. Here, we present a new technique that combines contactless levitation with aerosol optical tweezers with isotopic exchange (D 2 O/H 2 O) to measure the water diffusion coefficient over a broad range (D w ≈ 10 -12 -10 -17 m 2 s -1 ) in viscous organic liquids (citric acid, sucrose, and shikimic acid) and inorganic gels (magnesium sulfate, MgSO 4 ). For the organic liquids in binary and ternary mixtures, D w depends on relative humidity and follows a simple compositional Vignes relationship. In MgSO 4 droplets, water diffusivity decreases sharply with water activity and is consistent with predictions from percolation theory. These measurements show that, by combining micrometer-sized particle levitation (a contactless measurement with rapid mixing times) with an established probe of water diffusion, D w can be simply and directly quantified for amorphous and glassy states that are inaccessible to existing methods.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

A search for substellar companions to the two nearest brown dwarf systems

WISE J104915.57–531906.1 A+B and WISE J085510.83–071442.5 were recently discovered as the third and fourth closest known systems to the Sun, respectively (2.0 and 2.3 pc). The former consists of a L8+T0.5 binary and the latter is a probable Y dwarf and is the coldest known brown dwarf (∼250 K). We present a search for common proper motion companions to these brown dwarfs using multi-epoch mid-infrared images from the Spitzer Space Telescope. We have also obtained near-infrared adaptive optics (AO) images of WISE J104915.57–531906.1 A+B with the Very Large Telescope to search for companions at smaller separations than reached by Spitzer. No new companions are detected in either system. At projected separations of 25″–420″ (50–840 AU) for WISE J104915.57–531906.1 A+B and 4″–420″ (9–970 AU) for WISE J085510.83–071442.5, the Spitzer images are sensitive to companions with M{sub 4.5}≲21.6 and 21.9, respectively, which correspond to masses of ≳1 M{sub Jup} for ages of ⩾1 Gyr and temperatures of ≳150 K. The detection limit in the AO images of WISE J104915.57–531906.1 A + B is ΔH∼10 at 3″–15″ (6–30 AU), or ≳7 M{sub Jup} for ⩾1 Gyr.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

METAL DEPLETION AND WARM H{sub 2} IN THE BROWN DWARF 2M1207 ACCRETION DISK

We present new far-ultraviolet observations of the young M8 brown dwarf 2MASS J12073346-3932539, which is surrounded by an accretion disk. The data were obtained using the Hubble Space Telescope-Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Moderate-resolution spectra (R{approx} 17,000-18,000) obtained in the 1150-1750 A and 2770-2830 A bandpasses reveal H{sub 2} emission excited by H I Ly{alpha} photons, several ionization states of carbon (C I-C IV), and hot gas emission lines of He II and N V (T {approx} 10{sup 4}-10{sup 5} K). Emission from some species that would be found in a typical thermal plasma at this temperature (Si II, Si III, Si IV, and Mg II) is not detected. The non-detections indicate that these refractory elements are depleted into grains, and that accretion shocks dominate the production of the hot gas observed on 2MASS J12073346-3932539. We use the observed C IV luminosity to constrain the mass accretion rate in this system. We use the kinematically broadened H{sub 2} profile to confirm that the majority of the molecular emission arises in the disk, measure the radius of the inner hole of the disk (R{sub hole} {approx} 3R{sub *}), and constrain the physical conditions of the warm molecular phase of the disk (T(H{sub 2}) {approx} 2500-4000 K). A second, most likely unresolved H{sub 2} component is identified. This feature is either near the stellar surface in the region of the accretion shock or in a molecular outflow, although the possibility that this Jovian-like emission arises on the dayside disk of a 6 M{sub J} companion (2M1207b) cannot be conclusively ruled out. In general, we find that this young brown dwarf disk system is a low-mass analog to classical T Tauri stars that are observed to produce H{sub 2} emission from a warm layer in their disks, such as the well-studied TW Hya and DF Tau systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

EXQUISITE NOVA LIGHT CURVES FROM THE SOLAR MASS EJECTION IMAGER (SMEI)

We present light curves of three classical novae (CNe; KT Eridani, V598 Puppis, V1280 Scorpii) and one recurrent nova (RS Ophiuchi) derived from data obtained by the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) on board the Coriolis satellite. SMEI provides near complete skymap coverage with precision visible-light photometry at 102 minute cadence. The light curves derived from these skymaps offer unprecedented temporal resolution around, and especially before, maximum light, a phase of the eruption normally not covered by ground-based observations. They allow us to explore fundamental parameters of individual objects including the epoch of the initial explosion, the reality and duration of any pre-maximum halt (found in all three fast novae in our sample), the presence of secondary maxima, speed of decline of the initial light curve, plus precise timing of the onset of dust formation (in V1280 Sco) leading to estimation of the bolometric luminosity, white dwarf mass, and object distance. For KT Eri, Liverpool Telescope SkyCamT data confirm important features of the SMEI light curve and overall our results add weight to the proposed similarities of this object to recurrent rather than to CNe. In RS Oph, comparison with hard X-ray data from the 2006 outburst implies that the onset of the outburst coincides with extensive high-velocity mass loss. It is also noted that two of the four novae we have detected (V598 Pup and KT Eri) were only discovered by ground-based observers weeks or months after maximum light, yet these novae reached peak magnitudes of 3.46 and 5.42, respectively. This emphasizes the fact that many bright novae per year are still overlooked, particularly those of the very fast speed class. Coupled with its ability to observe novae in detail even when relatively close to the Sun in the sky, we estimate that as many as five novae per year may be detectable by SMEI.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

WHAT IS THE MOST PROMISING ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTERPART OF A NEUTRON STAR BINARY MERGER?

The final inspiral of double neutron star and neutron-star-black-hole binaries are likely to be detected by advanced networks of ground-based gravitational wave (GW) interferometers. Maximizing the science returns from such a discovery will require the identification of an electromagnetic counterpart. Here we critically evaluate and compare several possible counterparts, including short-duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs), 'orphan' optical and radio afterglows, and day-long optical transients powered by the radioactive decay of heavy nuclei synthesized in the merger ejecta ('kilonovae'). We assess the promise of each counterpart in terms of four 'Cardinal Virtues': detectability, high fraction, identifiability, and positional accuracy. Taking into account the search strategy for typical error regions of tens of square degrees, we conclude that SGRBs are the most useful to confirm the cosmic origin of a few GW events, and to test the association with neutron star mergers. However, for the more ambitious goal of localizing and obtaining redshifts for a large sample of GW events, kilonovae are instead preferred. Off-axis optical afterglows are detectable for at most tens of percent of events, while radio afterglows are promising only for energetic relativistic ejecta in a high-density medium. Our main recommendations are: (1) an all-sky gamma-ray satellite is essential for temporal coincidence detections, and for GW searches of gamma-ray-triggered events; (2) the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope should adopt a one-day cadence follow-up strategy, ideally with 0.5 hr per pointing to cover GW error regions; and (3) radio searches should focus on the relativistic case, which requires observations for a few months.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

A ∼ 3.8 hr PERIODICITY FROM AN ULTRASOFT ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS CANDIDATE

Very few galactic nuclei are found to show significant X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). After carefully modeling the noise continuum, we find that the ∼3.8 hr QPO in the ultrasoft active galactic nucleus candidate 2XMM J123103.2+110648 was significantly detected (∼5σ) in two XMM-Newton observations in 2005, but not in the one in 2003. The QPO root mean square (rms) is very high and increases from ∼25% in 0.2-0.5 keV to ∼50% in 1-2 keV. The QPO probably corresponds to the low-frequency type in Galactic black hole X-ray binaries, considering its large rms and the probably low mass (∼10{sup 5} M {sub ☉}) of the black hole in the nucleus. We also fit the soft X-ray spectra from the three XMM-Newton observations and find that they can be described with either pure thermal disk emission or optically thick low-temperature Comptonization. We see no clear X-ray emission from the two Swift observations in 2013, indicating lower source fluxes than those in XMM-Newton observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nuclear 'pasta phase' and its consequences on neutrino opacities

In this paper, we calculate the diffusion coefficients that are related to the neutrino opacities considering the formation of nuclear pasta and homogeneous matter at low densities. Our results show that the mean-free paths are significantly altered by the presence of nuclear pasta in stellar matter when compared with the results obtained with homogeneous matter. These differences in neutrino opacities certainly influence the Kelvin-Helmholtz phase of protoneutron stars and consequently the results of supernova explosion simulations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2010

Measuring the parameters of massive black hole binary systems with pulsar timing array observations of gravitational waves

The observation of massive black hole binaries with pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) is one of the goals of gravitational-wave astronomy in the coming years. Massive (> or approx. 10{sup 8}M{sub {center_dot}}) and low-redshift (< or approx. 1.5) sources are expected to be individually resolved by upcoming PTAs, and our ability to use them as astrophysical probes will depend on the accuracy with which their parameters can be measured. In this paper we estimate the precision of such measurements using the Fisher-information-matrix formalism. For this initial study we restrict ourselves to 'monochromatic' sources, i.e. binaries whose frequency evolution is negligible during the expected {approx_equal}10 yr observation time, which represent the bulk of the observable population based on current astrophysical predictions. In this approximation, the system is described by seven parameters and we determine their expected statistical errors as a function of the number of pulsars in the array, the array sky coverage, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal. At fixed SNR (regardless of the number of pulsars in the PTA), the gravitational-wave astronomy capability of a PTA is achieved with {approx_equal}20 pulsars; adding more pulsars (up to 1000) to the array reduces the source error box in the sky {Delta}{Omega} by a factor {approx_equal}5 and has negligible consequences on the statistical errors on the other parameters, because the correlations among parameters are already removed to a large extent. If one folds in the increase of coherent SNR proportional to the square root of the number of pulsars, {Delta}{Omega} improves as 1/SNR{sup 2} and the other parameters as 1/SNR. For a fiducial PTA of 100 pulsars uniformly distributed in the sky and a coherent SNR=10, we find {Delta}{Omega}{approx_equal}40 deg{sup 2}, a fractional error on the signal amplitude of {approx_equal}30% (which constrains only very poorly the chirp mass-luminosity distance combination M{sup 5/3}/D{sub L}), and the source inclination and polarization angles are recovered at the {approx_equal}0.3 rad level. The ongoing Parkes PTA is particularly sensitive to systems located in the southern hemisphere, where at SNR=10 the source position can be determined with {Delta}{Omega}{approx_equal}10 deg{sup 2}, but has poorer (by an order of magnitude) performance for sources in the northern hemisphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1989

The Crab-like supernova remnants

Recent observational and theoretical investigations of Galactic and extragalactic SNRs suspected of having neutron central stars are reviewed, with an emphasis on Einstein X-ray observations. Sections are devoted to the Crab Nebula and its twin SNR 0540-69.3, SNR with observationally well determined and indistinct central X-ray nebulae, SNR with weak and strong unresolved internal X-ray sources, binary systems, and the relationship between X-ray and radio luminosity and pulsar energy loss. Consideration is given to radio pulsars, SNR with filled-center X-ray emission attributed to thermal processes, radio plerions and composite SNRs, MSH 15-56, and SNRs in the LMC. Extensive contour maps, sample optical images, and tables of numerical data are included.

Seward, Frederick D.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Do some x-ray stars have white dwarf companions

Some Be stars which are intermittent X-ray sources may have white dwarf companions rather than neutron stars. It is not possible to prove or rule out the existence of Be + WD systems using X-ray or optical data. However, the presence of a white dwarf could be established by the detection of its EUV continuum shortward of the Be star's continuum turnover at 100 A. Either the detection or the nondetection of Be + WD systems would have implications for models of Be star variability, models of Be binary system formation and evolution, and models of wind-fed accretion.

Mccollum, Bruce↗
DOE OSTI2010

ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCES IN ARP 147

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory was used to image the collisional ring galaxy Arp 147 for 42 ks. We detect nine X-ray sources with luminosities in the range of (1.4-7) x 10{sup 39} erg s{sup -1} (assuming that the sources emit isotropically) in or near the blue knots of star formation associated with the ring. A source with an X-ray luminosity of 1.4 x 10{sup 40} erg s{sup -1} is detected in the nuclear region of the intruder galaxy. X-ray sources associated with a foreground star and a background quasar are used to improve the registration of the X-ray image with respect to Hubble Space Telescope (HST) high-resolution optical images. The intruder galaxy, which apparently contained little gas before the collision, shows no X-ray sources other than the one in the nuclear bulge which may be a poorly fed supermassive black hole. These observations confirm the conventional wisdom that collisions of gas-rich galaxies trigger large rates of star formation which, in turn, generate substantial numbers of X-ray sources, some of which have luminosities above the Eddington limit for accreting stellar-mass black holes (i.e., ultraluminous X-ray sources, 'ULXs'). We also utilize archival Spitzer and Galex data to help constrain the current star formation rate in Arp 147 to {approx}7 M{sub sun} yr{sup -1}. All of these results, coupled with binary evolution models for ULXs, allow us to tentatively conclude that the most intense star formation may have ended some 15 Myr in the past.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE SPECTRUM OF THE RECYCLED PSR J0437-4715 AND ITS WHITE DWARF COMPANION

We present extensive spectral and photometric observations of the recycled pulsar/white dwarf binary containing PSR J0437-4715, which we analyzed together with archival X-ray and gamma-ray data, to obtain the complete mid-infrared to gamma-ray spectrum. We first fit each part of the spectrum separately, and then the whole multi-wavelength spectrum. We find that the optical-infrared part of the spectrum is well fit by a cool white dwarf atmosphere model with pure hydrogen composition. The model atmosphere (T{sub eff} = 3950 {+-} 150 K, log g = 6.98 {+-} 0.15, R{sub WD} = (1.9 {+-} 0.2) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} cm) fits our spectral data remarkably well for the known mass and distance (M = 0.25 {+-} 0.02 M{sub Sun }, d = 156.3 {+-} 1.3 pc), yielding the white dwarf age ({tau}{sub WD} = 6.0 {+-} 0.5 Gyr). In the UV, we find a spectral shape consistent with thermal emission from the bulk of the neutron star surface, with surface temperature between 1.25 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} and 3.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} K. The temperature of the thermal spectrum suggests that some heating mechanism operates throughout the life of the neutron star. The temperature distribution on the neutron star surface is non-uniform. In the X-rays, we confirm the presence of a high-energy tail which is consistent with a continuation of the cutoff power-law component ({Gamma} = 1.56 {+-} 0.01, E{sub cut} = 1.1 {+-} 0.2 GeV) that is seen in gamma rays and perhaps even extends to the near-UV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2002

Outbursts In Symbiotic Binaries (FUSE 2000)

During the past year, we made good progress on analysis of FUSE observations of the symbiotic binary Z And. For background, Z And is a binary system composed of a red giant and a hot component of unknown status. The orbital period is roughly 750 days. The hot component undergoes large-scale eruptions every 10-20 yr. An outburst began several years ago, triggering this FUSE opportunity. First, we obtained an excellent set of ground-based optical data in support, of the FUSE observations. We used FAST, a high throughput low resolution spectrograph on the 1.5-m telescope at Mt. Hopkins, Arizona. A 300 g/ mm grating blazed at 4750 A, a 3 in. slit, and a thinned Loral 512 x 2688 CCD gave us spectra covering 3800-7500 A at a resolution of 6 A. The wavelength solution for each spectrum has a probable error of +/- 0.5 A or better. Most of the resulting spectra have moderate signal-to-noise, S/.N approx. greater than 30 per pixel. The time coverage for these spectra is excellent. Typically, we acquired spectra every 1-2 nights during dark runs at Mt. Hopkins. These data cover most of the rise and all of the decline of the recent outburst. The spectra show a wealth of emission lines, including H I, He I, He II, [Fe V11], and the Raman scattering bands at 6830 A and 7088 A. The Raman bands and other high ionization features vary considerably throughout the outburst. These features will enable us to correlate variations in the FUSE spectra with variations in the optical spectra. Second, we began an analysis of FUSE spectra of Z And. We have carefully examined the spectra, identifying real features and defects. We have identified and measured fluxes for all strong emission lines, including the O VI doublet at 1032 A and 1038 A. These and several other strong emission lines display pronounced P Cygni absorption components indicative of outgrowing gas. We will attempt to correlate these velocities with similar profiles observed on optical spectra. The line velocities - together with line variations - will yield physical parameters for the expanding shell of gas in the outer atmosphere of the hot component. We also worked on several diagnostic tools, including upgrades to photoionization programs developed by the PI and others. We plan to use these tools to derive electron densities and temperatures front intercombination and forbidden lines observed on optical and FUSE spectra. Preliminary results indicate a large electron density, n(sub e) is greater than or = 10(exp 10)/cc and a modest electron temperature, T(sub e) approx. 20,000 K. We see no evidence for shocked gas as observed in some other symbiotics. However, we have yet to include several important lines of [Fe VII] and [Ne V] in the analysis. Inclusion of these lines will yield an improved estimate of the electron temperature in the gas. Finally, we have one additional FUSE spectrum planned for acquisition during this cycle. These data will provide important information concerning the state of the system farther along in its decline. Once we have this spectrum in hand, we plan to complete our analysis and publish our results.

Kenyon, Scott J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

CHANDRA Detection of the AM CVn Binary ES Cet (KUV 01584-0939)

We report on Chandra ACE observations of the ultracompact AM CVn binary ES Cet. This object has a 10.3 minute binary period and is the most compact of the confirmed AM CVn systems. We have, for the first time, unambiguously detected the X-ray counterpart to ES Cet. In a 20 ksec ACIS-S image a point-like X-ray source is found within 1 sec. of the catalogued optical position. The mean countrate in ACIS-S is 0.013/s, and there is no strong evidence for variability. We folded the X-ray data using the optical ephemeris of Warner & Woudt, but did not detect any significant modulation. If an approx. = 100% modulation similar to those seen in the ultracompact candidates V407 Vu1 and Rx J0806.3+1527 were present then we would have detected it. The upper limit (3(sigma)) to any modulation at the putative orbital period is approx. 40% (rms). We extract the first X-ray spectrum from ES Cet, and find that it is not well described by simple continuum models. We find suggestive evidence for discrete spectral components at approx. 470 and 890 eV, that can be modelled as gaussian emission lines. In comparison with recent X-ray detections of nitrogen and neon in another AM CVn system (GP Com), it appears possible that these features may represent emission lines from these same elements; however, deeper spectroscopy will be required to confirm this. Our best spectral model includes a black body continuum with kT = 0.8 keV along with the gaussian lines. The 0.2 - 5 keV X-ray flux was approx. 7 x 10(exp -14) ergs/sq cm s. The luminosity implied by this flux for any reasonable distance is much smaller than that expected for a mass accretion rate as high as m = 10(exp -8) solar mass/yr, suggesting that the bulk of the accretion luminosity is below 100 eV and not seen with Chandra. We discuss the implications of our results for the nature of ES Cet.

Strohmayer, Tod E.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Kepler Planet Detection Mission: Introduction and First Results

The Kepler Mission is designed to determine the frequency of Earth-size and rocky planets in and near the habitable zone (HZ) of solar-like stars. The HZ is defined to be the region of space where a rocky planet could maintain liquid water on its surface. Kepler is the 10th competitively-selected Discovery Mission and was launched on March 6, 2009. Since completing its commissioning, Kepler has observed over 156,000 stars simultaneously and near continuously to search for planets that periodically pass in front of their host star (transit). The photometric precision is approximately 23 ppm for 50% of the 12th magnitude dwarf stars for an integration period of 6.5 hours. During the first 3 months of operation the photometer detected transit-like signatures from more than 200 stars. Careful examination shows that many of these events are false-positives such as small stars orbiting large stars or blends of target stars with eclipsing binary stars. Ground-based follow-up observations confirm the discovery of five new exoplanets with sizes between 0.37 andl.6 Jupiter radii (R(sub J)) and orbital periods ranging from 3.2 to 4.9 days. Ground-based observations with the Keck 1, Hobby-Ebberly, Hale, WIYN, MMT, Tillinghast, Shane, and Nordic Optical Telescopes are used to vet the planetary candidates and measure the masses of the putative planets. Observations of occultations and phase variations of hot, short-period planets such as HT-P-7b provide a probe of atmospheric properties. Asteroseismic analysis already shows the presence of p-mode oscillations in several stars. Such observations will be used to measure the mean stellar density and infer the stellar size and age. For stars too dim to permit asteroseismology, observations of the centroid motion of target stars will be used to measure the parallax and be combined with photometric measurements to estimate stellar sizes. Four open clusters are being observed to determine stellar rotation rates as a function of age and spectral type. Many different types of stellar variability are observed with unprecedented precision and over a wide range of time scales. Solar-like photometric variability of thousands of field stars is being studied to determine how photometric variability and the stellar rotation rates change with stellar age and metallicity. A wide variety of other astrophysical phenomena have also been observed. The data are being analyzed at the Ames Research Center and archived at the MAST at STScI. The Kepler Mission also supports a vigorous Guest Observer Program.

Borucki, William↗
DOE OSTI2015

Toward understanding the B[e] phenomenon. V. Nature and spectral variations of the MWC 728 binary system

We report the results of a long-term spectroscopic monitoring of the FS CMa type object MWC 728. We found that it is a binary system with a B5 ve (T{sub eff} = 14,000 ± 1000 K) primary and a G8 iii type (T{sub eff} ∼ 5000 K) secondary. Absorption line positions of the secondary vary, with a semi-amplitude of ∼20 km s{sup −1} and a period of 27.5 days. The system’s mass function is 2.3 × 10{sup −2} M{sub ⊙}, and its orbital plane is ∼13°–15° tilted from the plane of the sky. The primary’s vsin i∼110 km s{sup −1}, combined with this tilt, implies that it rotates at a nearly breakup velocity. We detected strong variations of the Balmer and He i emission-line profiles on timescales from days to years. This points to a variable stellar wind of the primary in addition to the presence of a circum-primary gaseous disk. The strength of the absorption-line spectrum, along with the optical and near infrared (IR) continuum, suggest that the primary contributes ∼60% of the V-band flux, the disk contributes ∼30%, and the secondary contributes ∼10%. The system parameters, along with the interstellar extinction, suggest a distance of ∼1 kpc, that the secondary does not fill its Roche lobe, and that the companions’ mass ratio is q ∼ 0.5. Overall, the observed spectral variability and the presence of a strong IR-excess are in agreement with a model of a close binary system that has undergone a non-conservative mass-transfer.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗